PAWS Atlanta, Georgia’s oldest no-kill animal shelter, is pleased to announce the appointment of Denise (Dee) Sandt as their new Director of Development. In this role, Sandt will spearhead the shelter's fundraising and development efforts, playing a pivotal role in advancing PAWS Atlanta’s work of providing compassionate care and finding loving homes for animals in need.

Dee brings years of experience in nonprofit development, strategic planning, and capital campaigns. With a passion for animal welfare and a proven record of success in fundraising, she is well-positioned to lead PAWS Atlanta into its next phase of growth.

“We are so very fortunate to have Dee join PAWS Atlanta’s leadership team,” says Joe Labriola, Executive Director. “Her wealth of development experience as well as expertise planning and executing successful capital campaigns makes her the ideal person to uncover new sources of funding to make our continued growth a reality.”

As Director of Development, Sandt will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the shelter's fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation and corporate partnerships. She will work closely with the shelter's leadership team and development team to create and implement strategies that will secure the financial resources needed to support PAWS Atlanta’s programs and services.

Sandt’s most recent position was Vice President of Development and Individual Giving at Jerusalem House in Atlanta. Her other professional experience includes serving as Development Director at ArtsNow (Winder, GA), Managing Director at The American Theatre Company (Chicago), Managing Director at the Synchronicity Theatre (Atlanta), and Executive Director at Beaufort Performing Arts (Beaufort, SC). She attended Western Michigan University.

“It is an honor to be part of the PAWS Atlanta team and to be able to give a voice to the voiceless,” says Sandt.

Sandt officially assumed the role of Director of Development on December 7, 2023, and she is already actively engaged in advancing the shelter's fundraising goals.